EFNEP Legend Inducted into NIFA Hall of Fame

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently inducted Helen Chipman, NIFA’s national program leader for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), into the NIFA Hall of Fame. As the lone inductee for 2024, the Cooperative Extension system at large shares Chipman’s honor.

The NIFA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to NIFA and the Land-grant University System and who, throughout their careers, engaged in activities that exemplify NIFA’s excellence in any combination of research, education and Extension delivered locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.



Food Loss and Waste Liaison Moves to NIFA

The USDA Food Loss and Waste (FLW) program has a new home in the Research, Education and Economics mission area under USDA NIFA.

The FLW program, formerly with the USDA Office of the Chief Economist, joins NIFA’s Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition’s program portfolio. USDA is in a unique position to help address the problems of FLW across the nation, including harmful impacts on climate heating and resources wasted throughout the food supply, from farm to fork.

Read more about the work of the FLW program and its liaison.



U.S. Global Change Research Program Seeks Public Comment on First National Nature Assessment

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is requesting public feedback on the proposed themes and topics of the first National Nature Assessment, a report aimed at assessing the condition of nature as an aspect of global change. The input received, due Nov. 4, will guide chapter author teams in developing their draft chapters. Read the Federal Register notice for more information.

Artificial Intelligence in Cooperative Extension

On June 7, 2024, Extension Directors from across the System joined ECOP Chair Damona Doye (Oklahoma State University) and her special guest David Warren, Senior Director Integrated Digital Strategies at Oklahoma State University, and AI Program Leader at the Extension Foundation. Dr. Doye updated the delegation on several important Section-related Action Plan objectives. Then, Members were introduced to basic understanding of AI and to the dynamic ExtensionBot that has been piloted in several states. Slides to accompany the follow 1-hour YouTube Recording posted below are available here. David will also facilitate a deeper dive into this topic at the 2024 NEDA Meeting. Proceed to learn more and register for the NEDA meeting here by August 26. The next First Friday event will not take place until August 2, 3-4:00 p.m. ET. 

JCEP seeking Administrator input on Hill Visits - The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) is gathering information about Hill Visits associated with the Public Issues Leadership Development (PILD) conference, to assess the value of those experiences. Response to this form by June 30, 2024,will help the JCEP Board form future activities and opportunities for our member Associations. Please take a couple of minutes to provide input. The ECOP members who have already submitted their own input during the Spring Meeting in Oklahoma City, are asked to share the form with others with PILD conference experience. 




Webinar Exploring Linkages Between Soil Health and Human Health -The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine will be releasing their report entitled Exploring Linkages Between Soil Health and Human Health next Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET. Members of the study committee will be sharing where to locate the report and present key takeaways and recommendations. The audience will be able to submit questions during the webinar. Register for the webinar here.




USDA Publishes Request for Information to Support Next Steps in Implementing the Growing Climate Solutions Act - USDA is seeking information from the public on protocols that may be considered for inclusion in a new Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, the main program of the Growing Climate Solutions Act. The input is being collected through a Request for Information and will be considered in the preparation of a proposed rule to establish the program. Read more here, about how to provide feedback here.




USDA Announces Expansion of Interagency Collaboration to Help Reduce Food Loss and Waste - USDA has signed a formal agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to renew their Federal Interagency Collaboration to Reduce Food Loss and Waste. The U.S. Agency for International Development also joined the collaboration to help reduce food loss and waste internationally. Read more here, about USDA food loss and waste reduction efforts, which includes a $10M partnership with National 4-H Council.

Political Landscape and Extramural Funding Programs

On May 3, 2024, ECOP hosted their monthly First Friday leadership enrichment session with members of the Cooperative Extension Section and 1994 Extension Directors. Political Landscape and Extramural Funding Program with Dr. Elizabeth Stulberg, Principal from Lewis-Burke Associates. Elizabeth offered a compelling explanation of USDA Budget process, who to talk to when, situational awareness of FY2025 federal budget and the farm bill, and valuable tips on advocacy. The slide presentation is available here. The following video is posted on ECOP's First Friday YouTube Playlist.

Remembering Ivory Lyles - Dr. Ivory W. Lyles (picture left) passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2024. He served as a voting member of ECOP 2006-2009, (University of Arkansas), and 2019-2024, (University of Nevada-Reno and Oregon State University). In all, he served on the ECOP Program Committee. Other national system leadership roles include:

   • Lead for the ECOP Workforce PAT

   • Co-chair of ECOP 4-H Youth Development Task Force, 2005-2006

   • Extension Foundation Finance Committee, 2008-2009

Donations in Dr. Lyles’ memory may be made to the Ivory and Paulette Lyles Endowed Scholarship Fund at Alcorn State University at this link by debit/credit card or e-check. To give via check or money, make payable to Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc. and include "Ivory and Paulette Lyles ESF" on the memo line of the check. 

Mail to:

Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc.

1000 ASU Drive #810

Lorman, MS 39096

Contact information - Casey C. Mock, Finance and Accounting Manager, Alcorn State University Foundation, Inc., 601-877-6693 (Office), casey@alcorn.edu.

SARE Food Loss and Food Waste Initiative - The Southern region SARE program is soliciting a national Call for Proposals for the Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants. The purpose of this one-time grant opportunity is to implement outreach, training, and technical assistance efforts to build capacity for food loss and waste initiatives.

Application deadline is June 28, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET. Projects will span three (3) years, beginning on September 1, 2024. Roughly two (2) to four (4) projects, capped at $1 million per proposal with an expected grant size of $500,000, are anticipated to be funded per SARE region: Southern SARE, North Central SARE, Northeast SARE, and Western SARE, so that regional priorities to addressing food loss and waste can be augmented, while allowing for national coordination and impacts. A total of $8 million is being funded nationally for the CFP Food Loss and Waste Training and Technical Assistance Grants effort.




New Financial Module for NIFA Reporting System - The NIFA Reporting System (NRS) Financial Module was released on May 1. The link to the Guidance Webinar Recording is found here. and is described in this YouTube recording. This release will give NRS Financial Administrators the ability to add, edit and submit FY 2023 Financial Reports for Capacity Funds in NRS.

Users will now submit all financial reports required for capacity funds in NRS. Financial Administrators will download the financial report template and upload the completed file directly into NRS, importing all FY 2023 financial data. The financial report template is an easy-to-use Excel file with project/program data prepopulated for ease of use. This streamlined report will cross reference and validate financial reporting information and alert the institution of potential report errors.

The FY 2023 Financial Report for Capacity Funds will be due on July 1. All financial reports must be submitted in NRS. Direct questions or concerns to the NRS Help Desk at nrs@usda.gov.




Extension Discount for Points of Light Volunteer Conference - The global organization Points of Light, is offering discounted registration for a professional development opportunity for Extension Volunteer, Master Gardener, 4-H and other Specialists. The 2024 Points of Light Conference, June 11-14, 2024, in Houston is a unique chance to network with 1,500 peers and choose from 70 workshops focused on volunteer engagement and volunteer management best practices. Over 2-and-a-half days, attendees gain full access to compelling discussions around Jumpstarting Strategic Volunteer Engagement Through Self-Assessment and Asset Sharing; Managing Through Uncertainty for Volunteers, Staff and Communities; Rural Volunteer Engagement; Building volunteer persona strategies for individuals, companies, and donors; and more.

This global event is for volunteer management experts who are looking for new ideas and approaches for leveling up their volunteer program.

Points of Light is offering Extension professionals a 10% discount off the $750 nonprofit registration rate, utilizing the discount code 4HPOL.Please share Registration today to lock in this special rate.

EXCITE Bridge Access Project RFA

 The EXCITE program has a fully executed agreement for an additional $6 million for the purpose of increasing awareness of the Bridge Access program for COVID-19 vaccine for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The Request for Application (RFA) for Implementation teams and EFNEP is announced HERE is open to ALL institutions receiving EFNEP funding and to existing EXCITE implementation teams. 

The downloadable RFA guide is found HERE. The deadline to apply is April 24. Michelle Rodgers, EXCITE Program Director, calls attention to the requirement of a letter from Extension Directors or Administrators to accompany each application, and expresses deep gratitude to ECOP, CDC, NIFA and Extension Foundation for the continued support. 

There is a multi-pronged approach in place.

• Current EXCITE Implementation teams can apply for $30,000 to augment their ongoing work;
  
  
• EFNEP programs at each LGU can apply for $70,000 to incorporate an awareness campaign regarding the free Bridge vaccination program;
  
  
• 1994 Institutions will coordinate with Ruth Hursman, 1994 Engagement Coordinator, to participate a mixed media campaign designed for tribal communities; and
  
  
• A social media campaign regarding Bridge vaccinations will be provided to targeted areas of the states not covered by any of the above efforts through a national marketing firm.

With this funding, EXCITE Immunization Education which is a part of the Health and Well-Being PAT, has received $23 million dollars. The impact of this funding is stated in the Extension Foundation annual report.




Food Waste Prevention Week Webinar - This week is Food Waste Prevention Week, an annual week committed to educating and encouraging culture change around wasted food. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, from noon to 1:00 pm ET, USDA will host its own webinar titled, USDA Programs, Investments, and Innovations to Prevent and Reduce Food Loss and Waste, to learn about some of the different ways USDA is advancing and engaging with food loss and waste prevention and/or reduction efforts. Registration for the webinar is required.

ECOP Liaison to EDEN Executive Committee - The ECOP Executive Committee recently appointed Amanda Marney (pictured left) as the Section’s representative to the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Executive Committee. Dr. Marney, “Mandy,” has served as the Associate Director of University of Wyoming Extension since January of 2000. She previously served as district director for research and extension at Kansas State University and a program Director for the University of Missouri’s Agricultural Experiment Station. The ECOP National Office engages with Mandy and many others with national appointments with partnering entities at least three times annually to help fulfill their liaison roles and responsibilities. 

Soils in the City Webinar - The National Urban Research & Extension Center (NUREC) invites interested parties to attend the Urban Underground: Agroecological Functions of Soils in the City Webinar to be presented on April 17 at 12:00 PM ET. Attendance is free and registration here is required. To learn more, visit the webinar announcement here.

National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Annual Meeting - Registration is now open for the 2024 NACDEP Annual Conference, which will take place June 17-20, 2024, in Houston, TX. Hosted by Prairie View A&M University Extension in collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, this conference offers a unique opportunity for community development extension professionals to collaborate, grow professionally, and network. Held in downtown Houston at the prestigious Marriott Marquis-Houston, TX, attendees can expect engaging sessions and discussions focused on leveraging "The Power of Together" to enhance the impact of land-grant institutions on research, teaching, and Extension.

2024 NEDA Meeting in Louisville

The 2024 National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting will take place in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky on September 17-19. Please update calendars with the location. The ECOP Meeting, New Extension Directors and Administrators orientation, and kick-off dinner will take place on September 17. Cooperative Extension Section business, dialogue, and leadership learning experiences will begin the morning of September 18, and conclude midday on September 19. Registration details, hotel information, and much more will be released during the second quarter of 2024. 

Speaking of Calendars - Click Here to view ECOP's Calendar that includes a few recent updates. 

USDA Announces Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have released a Draft National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. The strategy was shared at the USDA-NIFA's Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (IFSN) Community Nutrition Project Directors' Meeting in New Orleans on December 4. The four main objectives in the draft National Strategy are:

• Prevent the loss of food where possible.
• Prevent the waste of food where possible.
• Increase the recycling rate for all organic waste.
• Support policies that incentivize and encourage food loss and waste prevention and organics recycling.

USDA National Climate Change Roadmap - A new resource, National Climate Change Roadmap - A Research Framework for Agriculture, Forestry and Working Lands, funded by USDA-NIFA and led by researchers from Colorado State University and Meridian Institute, was released recently. Within USDA, this report is a resource for program leaders to consider when developing strategies to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry as part of the research, Extension and education work at Land-grant Institutions and non-Land-grant Colleges and Universities. This resource was presented at the APLU Annual Meeting in Seattle.

USDA Now Accepting Loan Applications Online - The USDA has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.

Through a personalized dashboard, borrowers can borrowers track the progress of their loan application. It can be accessed on farmers.gov or by completing FSA’s Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov/loan-assistance-tool. To use the online loan application tool, producers must establish a USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication (eAuth) account or a Login.gov account. For the initial stage, the online application tool is only available for producers who will be, or are currently, operating their farm as an individual. FSA is expanding the tools availability to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities in 2024.

Cooperative Extension System Leadership Meets in Kansas City

Last week in Kansas City, ECOP received a visit from Dr. Manjit Misra, the director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA’s extramural funding agency in the Research, Education and Economics Mission Area. ECOP learned about Cooperative Extension influences in Dr. Misra's life and career. The latest draft of Strategic Directions 2023-2026 was approved. An operating budget for 2024 included $10,000 toward the formation of a Food System Viability and Market Access Program Action Team (PAT), working especially food loss and food waste. Dr. Ashley Stokes, University of Tennessee, will provide leadership for this new PAT.

NEDA Meeting Registration Status and Reminder - To date, there is a solid 40% rate of response by members of the Section to register at the Early-Bird rate for the National Extension Directors and Administrators (NEDA) Meeting, October 10-12 in Tucson, Arizona. The link to register is https://neda.extension.org. Details are still evolving as to guest speakers and leadership learning sessions. Stay tuned for more information

2023 FALCON Conference - The First Americans Land-Grant Consortium (FALCON) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for its 19th Annual Conference, scheduled for October 13-15, 2023, at the Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado. The FALCON 2023 Agenda includes sessions in 1994 land-grant teaching, extension programs and research that benefit Native American students, communities, governments, and lands. There will be a strong student focus and tribal college students are especially invited to participate and present their work. The conference will also include a NIFA update, training workshops, information-sharing, and networking opportunities. To learn more and register, click: FALCON 2023 Registration. 

Course Available: Advancing Food Security for Military Families - Food security is a top priority for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Cooperative Extension is integral in helping military families become more food secure. Discover Extension professionals can work together to expand food security for military families in local communities with this timely course. Advancing Food Security for Military Families is a free, self-paced course developed by national food security expert Dr. Angela Odoms-Young. Share this professional development opportunity to expand capacity to support food security among the military families. Enrollment link: https://oneop.thinkific.com/courses/advancing-food-security-for-military-families